Rotatable game-table.



may be very WILLIAM J. J. BURCH, :OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ROTA'IABLE GAME-TABLE.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented May 7, 1912.

Application filed March 30, 1908. Serial No. 423,995.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAB'I J. J. BURCH,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotatable Game- Tables; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. This invention relates to improvements in game tables, and has for its main object to afford a game board adapted to be supported upon any table and revoluble thereon and so constructed that though afiording a secure bearing upon the table and readily movable thereon, yet is capable of being revolved without the possibility of injury to the table or to the game board and which quickly converted from a rotatable game board into a stationary game board.

It is also an object of the invention particularly to afford an exceedingly cheap, simple and durable construction adapting the board for use in playing numerous games.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a goal pin.

As shown in the drawings: A indicates a table or support, which may be of any desired kind or description and may have a top of any desired shape and upon which my improved game board is adapted to rest when the board is in us Said game board B, as shown, is substantially rectangular in form, having greater length than width, and is preferably provided with a raised rail Z2, surrounding the same. In the bottom of the board and opening through the under side thereof is provided a circular recess or depression in which is seated a circular friction member C, having a peripheral downwardly directed face 0, and a central downwardly directed boss 0, adapted to rest on the corresponding upwardly directed peripheral face 0?, and central bearing face 0 of a lower bearing piece C, said circular to suit the convenience of the player,

- ets 79*, wickets F and recess or depression being receive both the friction member C and the bearing piece C. Said bearing piece is provided with an upwardly directed boss 0*, which engages in a socket in the boss 0, adapting the board to freely rotate on the bearing piece and also adapting the bearing piece to be very quickly removed thereby converting the board into use for playing games requiring a stationaryboard. Said bearing piece is faced on the under side with a layer of rubber, felt or any material E, adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the table and protect the same from injury and of course, if desired, the board may be provided on its under side at a suitable radius with a layer E of the same material but in a different plane from the pad E.

The top surface of the table A may be equipped in any desired manner for any desired game, the drawing showing the same equipped with rail cushions Z), pockgoal pins D, for playing the game of croquet with squails o-r caroms X, though said top surface may be otherwise equipped as desired.

In use, each player may rotate the table so that each play may be made without necessitating the player assuming uncomfortable positions which adds considerably to the pleasure of the game. Further the broad bearing face of the plate C upon the stationary bearing piece C and the relatively small frictional surface presented assures easy rotation of the board and the pad E precludes the slippage of the turn table upon the supporting table.

By forming the circular recess or depression in the underside of the game board B deep enough to receive both the friction member C and the bearing piece C I not only provide an aid to the boss a in resisting lateral displacement of the board, but also bring the under surface of said board almost into contact with the table A, so that lateral rocking of said board will be reduced to a minimum.

In case billiards, pool or some other game is played it may be desired to have the table stationary in which case the bearing piece is removed by simply lifting the board and replacing the same upon the table in which event the pad E protects the table A from being marred.

It is thus seen that the table is of very deep enough to v simple construction and may be converted from a rotatable to a stationary table almost instantaneously as occasion may require.

I claim as my invention:

1. A game apparatus, comprising a board forming the playing surface and recessed centrally in its underside, a centrally apertured plate fixed centrally in and but partially filling the recess in the underside of said board, and a bearing piece adapted to also fit into said recess in said board and having a central boss adapted to detachably engage in the central recess in said plate to support said board in rotative but detachable engagement.

2. game apparatus, comprising a board forming the playing surface, a bearing piece upon which said board is rotatably but detachably mounted slightly raised from the plane of support of said bearing piece, and a ring of anti-slipping material fixed to the underside of said board and encircling said bearing piece but maintained above the plane of support of said bearing piece when said board is supported thereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VM. J. J. BURCH. VVit-nesses K. E. HANNAH, LAWRENCE REIBSTEIN.

R. I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

